Your journey
What to expect
From your first consultation through to recovery, here is everything you need to know about your care at Pelvic Congestion Australia.
Your first appointment
Your first consultation is a comprehensive assessment designed to understand your symptoms, review your history, and determine whether PCS is the likely cause of your pain.
Referral
A referral from your GP or specialist is required before your first appointment. Please ask your doctor to email or fax a referral to the rooms. Once received, our team will contact you to arrange a convenient appointment time.
What to bring
Please bring your referral letter, Medicare card, private health insurance details, a list of current medications, and any prior imaging (ultrasound, CT, or MRI reports and discs if available). If you have had previous gynaecological investigations or procedures, bring those records too.
The consultation
Your specialist will take a detailed history of your symptoms, including the nature, location, and timing of your pelvic pain. A physical examination will be performed. Your specialist will review any prior imaging and discuss whether further investigations — such as a pelvic duplex ultrasound or CT venogram — are needed to confirm the diagnosis.
After your consultation
Following your appointment, your specialist will write to your referring doctor with a summary of their findings and recommendations. If further imaging is required, our team will assist with arranging this. If embolisation is recommended, a separate pre-procedure appointment will be arranged.
Before your procedure
Once embolisation has been recommended and scheduled, there are a number of things to organise and be aware of in the days leading up to your procedure.
Pre-admission
You will be contacted by the hospital or day surgery unit to complete pre-admission paperwork. This includes confirming your personal details, health insurance, and any allergies or medical conditions. Please ensure your contact details are up to date with our rooms.
Medications
Please inform your specialist of all medications you are taking, including blood thinners, aspirin, anti-inflammatories, and the oral contraceptive pill. Some medications may need to be paused before the procedure. Do not stop any medication without specific advice from our team.
Fasting
You will be required to fast before your procedure. As a general guide, do not eat or drink (other than small sips of water with essential medications) for at least six hours before your scheduled procedure time. Specific fasting instructions will be provided by the hospital.
On the day
Arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure — you will not be able to drive yourself. Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. Leave jewellery and valuables at home. Bring your Medicare card, health insurance card, and any paperwork provided by the hospital.
The procedure
Ovarian vein embolisation is most commonly performed under general anaesthetic. In selected cases, your specialist may determine that local anaesthetic with sedation is appropriate. Access is through a small nick in the skin — usually in the groin or neck. Using X-ray guidance, a catheter is guided to the abnormal pelvic veins and a coil or sclerosant is used to block the refluxing vessels. The procedure typically takes 60–90 minutes. Most patients are discharged the same day or the following morning.
After your procedure
Most patients recover well after embolisation. The following information will help you manage your recovery and know when to seek advice.
Immediately after
After the procedure you will be monitored in the recovery area for a few hours. Some pelvic aching, cramping, and a low-grade temperature are common in the first 24–48 hours — this is a normal response to the embolisation (post-embolisation syndrome). Pain relief will be provided before you are discharged.
The first week
Rest at home for the first 24–48 hours. You may return to light activities such as gentle walking within a few days. Avoid heavy lifting, vigorous exercise, and sexual intercourse for two weeks. The access site (groin or neck) should be kept dry for 48 hours and will heal within a few days.
Medications after discharge
You will be discharged with a short course of pain relief (typically anti-inflammatories and paracetamol). Take these as directed. If you were asked to pause any regular medications before the procedure, our team will advise when it is safe to restart them.
When to seek help
Contact the rooms or present to your nearest emergency department if you experience: heavy bleeding or a rapidly expanding bruise at the access site; a temperature above 38.5°C persisting beyond 48 hours; severe or worsening pain not controlled by prescribed analgesia; or any other symptoms that concern you.
Follow-up
A follow-up appointment will be arranged at approximately six weeks after your procedure. Your specialist will review your symptoms and assess your response to treatment. Symptom improvement typically occurs over four to six weeks, though many patients notice improvement sooner. Further imaging is arranged if clinically indicated.
Ready to take the next step?
Contact the rooms to arrange a referral or make an enquiry about your care.